Future Collegians World Tour

Where do I begin? I have played, officiated, coached and watched golf in all sorts of weather. Sure I love the good weather, who doesn't? Yes I dread going out on those bad days, as most do, BUT this time we traveled half way around the world to play (in my case watch) in the worst weather I have seen. Let me repeat that - THE WORST weather.

It started out as a friendly light mist/drizzle, the type that would be fine to play in and would get annoying towards the end of your 18 holes. I was standing on the 10th tee watching Daniel Kang absolutely crush a tee-shot down the middle. Next to me was Daniela Lendl. At this point she was wearing her rain pants and golf shirt. A minute later it was worthy enough to put our umbrellas up, another minute later it was torrential down pour. Daniela had her GORE-TEX jacket on in two seconds and was ready to go. The starting procedure was to walk up to the tee, tee your ball up, and when that was done you had to wait a few seconds before they announced your name to play away. Well in those few seconds, Daniela learned why a good GORE-TEX suit is imperative. She was soaked head to toe, and then proceeded to smash a drive down the first, awesome stuff (sorry the tee shot was awesome, the rain was not) Lauren was next, for those that know Lauren, part of her idea of golf is looking good, wearing a nice outfit, so you can imagine her mood with a full rain suit on. 

Off to the first tee I went to see the boys tee-off, Sam first, then Reid, then Brandon and finally Raymond. By the time Ray got to the first green the rain had died down and umbrellas were being folded. I was thinking to myself this would be OK if the wind would die down we would get through the day. At this point it was blowing about 20 MPH, at least a 2 or 3 club wind.

The front 9 was struggle for everyone. The wind was unbearable and conditions were very,  very difficult. As everyone was making the turn the scores were not great if you were playing on a calm day, BUT considering the conditions they were reasonable. I saw everyone at the turn, it wasn't long before the FCWT team figured out we were not in good shape. Just when you thought it was as bad as it could get, the rain decided to join in again and really start pouring. 

You should all be proud of the FCWT competitors as they turned around what could have been a horrendous day into a good day. 

Danielle 41 + 37 = 78

Daniela 41 +42 = 83

Lauren 39 + 39 = 78

Team Score = 156

 

Sam 42 +38 = 80

Reid 40 + 35 = 75

Brandon 39 +35 = 74

Raymond 39 + 39 + 78

Team Score = 227

I will have the team standings a little later, we had to leave the course as it was late, pace of play was horrible at 6.5 hours, a long, long day.

Unfortunately similar weather is called for tomorrow, so we are in for a tough week.

My hat goes off to the entire team for turning it around today. Reid had the best finish; he birdied 17 & 18 to keep us in it. The collective scores on those holes for the field were at least 3 over par. Well played to Brandon, who turned at 4 over, got it back to level par, thanks to a birdie, par, birdie, eagle start. Congratulations on holing out his first ever second shot on a par 4.

Considering the scores, spirits are still high, chins are still up and we are to sample the Japanese cuisine soon.

Cheers for now

Hugo Mazzalupi, PGA

The FCWT Junior Golf Tour

 

PS: Sorry no photos as I could not even take my camera out in these conditions